JP McManus fields two in search of Istabraq prize at Tipperary

Fri 29 Sep 2017

The JP McManus-owned pair of Jezki and Jer's Girl will go head to head in the Istabraq Hurdle at Tipperary on Sunday.

The legendary Istabraq carried the owner's green and gold silks to a joint-record three victories in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and is widely regarded as one of the greatest two-milers of all time.

Jezki, trained by Jessica Harrington, won the Champion Hurdle in 2014, one of eight top-level triumphs.

The nine-year-old returned from a near two-year absence with victory at Navan in January, but suffered defeat on his next start at Gowran and disappointed in both the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham and on his most recent appearance at Fairyhouse in April.

Harrington, who also saddles talented mare Forge Meadow, said: "Jezki seems to be in great form. We thought we'd start him off early and see how the winter pans out."